Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.

Senior Fellow for Imagery Analysis, iDeas Lab and Korea Chair
Joseph S. Bermudez Jr.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. is an internationally recognized analyst, award-winning author, and lecturer on North Korean defense and intelligence affairs and ballistic missile development in developing countries. He is concurrently senior fellow for Imagery Analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); senior adviser and imagery analyst for the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK); author for IHS Markit (formerly the Jane's Information Group); and publisher and editor of KPA Journal. Formerly, he has served as founder and chief analytics officer of KPA Associates, LLC, senior imagery analyst for 38 North at Johns Hopkins SAIS, chief analytics officer and co-founder of AllSource Analysis, Inc., and senior all-source analyst for DigitalGlobe’s Analysis Center. He has authored four books and more than 300 articles, reports, and monographs on numerous defense-related subjects. Mr. Bermudez has consulted and lectured extensively in academic and government environments both in the United States (e.g., National Defense University, Columbia University, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Alamos National Laboratories, Stanford University, U.S. Marine Corps University, U.S. Army Intelligence, U.S. Naval Intelligence, U.S. Navy Postgraduate School) and internationally (e.g., United Nations, Israel Defense Forces, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Republic of Korea National Defense College). He has also testified before the United Nations and U.S. Congress as a subject matter expert concerning North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear, chemical and biological warfare programs, satellite imagery of North Korean political prisoner camps, and ballistic missile development in the developing countries.

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Audio Briefs

China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station

An audio version of “China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — December 20, 2024

Audio Briefs

China Makes Progress on Its Fifth Antarctic Research Station

New satellite imagery, including images captured using synthetic aperture radar, shows recent construction progress at Qinling Station, China's newest research station in Antarctica.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Jennifer Jun, and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — December 19, 2024

China’s Intelligence Footprint in Cuba: New Evidence and Implications for U.S. Security

China’s deepening ties with Cuba are opening doors for its military and intelligence services there. Satellite imagery and other open-source information offer an unprecedented look at facilities in Cuba likely to be supporting China’s efforts to spy on the United States.

Brief by Matthew P. Funaiole, Aidan Powers-Riggs, Brian Hart, Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Ryan C. Berg, and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — December 6, 2024

Undeclared North Korea: The Yongnim Missile Operating Base

Located 242 kilometers north of the demilitarized zone and only 65 kilometers from the Chinese border, the Yongnim Missile Operating Base is an undeclared ballistic missile operating ICBM base in Chagang Province.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — November 14, 2024

Update on Punggye-ri Amid Increased Tension

Satellite image of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Testing Facility acquired on October 4, 2024, a few days before the rapid escalation of tension in the peninsula, shows that the facility continues to be well maintained.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — October 14, 2024

Recent Developments Along the China-North Korea Border

Satellite images of the NK-China border indicate that trade between the two countries is gradually recovering to pre-pandemic levels. However, this restoration of trade was upended when unusually heavy rains struck the area in late July.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — September 30, 2024

The Geopolitics of Port Security in the Americas

CSIS experts analyze the strategic implications of PRC investment, ownership, and operation of ports in the Western Hemisphere for geopolitical competition with the United States.

Commentary by Henry Ziemer, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Jennifer Jun — September 23, 2024

Changes at Tumangang-Khasan Rail Crossing as DPRK-Russia Alliance Evolves

Beyond Parallel reviewed satellite imagery of the Russia-North Korea border at the Tumangang-Khasan railroad crossing from early February to mid-July 2024, a few months before and a few weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea on June 18. The analysis between February and July 2024 shows a new railcar traffic pattern at the Russia-North Korea border.

Commentary by Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha, and Jennifer Jun — August 8, 2024